Atmospheric rivers, linked to climate change, cause over $1 billion in annual flooding damage in the western U.S.

Atmospheric rivers, long-existing but recently more discussed phenomena, are moisture-laden air currents responsible for over 80% of flooding in the western U.S., causing about $1 billion in damage annually. As scientific understanding and media coverage of these events have grown, they've become more prominent, especially after severe storms in California. Researchers link their intensity to climate change, predicting more extreme events due to increased water vapor in warmer atmospheres.

November 23, 2024
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